View from the Seats: Mariners at Yankees

It's a rain delay right now but before my phone dies, I want to post the view from the great seats I have tonight in 127A, row A (thanks Nate). Awesome view--once they start this game of course.

There was a really light rain and people at the Stadium were getting restless there was no baseball being played and now that they're going to start at 9 PM, it looks more ridiculous they waited two hours for such a drizzle. But supposedly there is baseball to be played around 9 PM from the big ballpark in the Bronx.

-Andrew

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!

Yes, yes I am. As word came down today that the lockout was over one could practically hear all of America breathe sighs of relief. The players association is very close to voting to end the lockout, start free agency, and get back to football as opposed to the legal drama that seemed like it would never end over the course of the last 130 plus days. Football is back, teams will soon be signing free agents and the world can get back to focusing on football, rather then focusing about what was going on in a conference room in Washington D.C.

As the terms of the lockout come to light, fans have seen happiness from both sides that the deal was done, but frankly from a fans perspective, I would rather this be totally behind everyone, today. I don't want to hear about when the NFL PA is going to vote, all I want to know is when free agency will start, when teams will report and when the season will start. Of course we will be inundated with useless chatter for the next day or so about how both sides are happy with the terms of the deal, and how Goodell and Smith are pure geniuses for putting together a deal that worked out for both sides, and I suppose, to some extent fans should be thankful to the guys who made the deal an actuality.

However the effort spent talking even more about the lockout is a waste, at this point, with the season on the brink of delay, one can't help but crave the useless football chatter of yesteryear. What with all this lockout chatter you forgot? You know, the endless speculation about which players will end up where, how your teams going to do this year, the quarterback battles and all the real football drama that makes the NFL pre season enticing for fans. For know we can go back to trash talking friends, making fantasy teams, and returning to the real NFL we all know and love. Are you ready for free agency, training camp, practices, a Rex Ryan super bowl guarantee, days spent in the bar, in the living room, or in the stadium parking lot? Are you ready for an end to the legal drama and a start to the gridiron drama? Are you ready for some Football? IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!

View From The Seats: Yanks vs. A's, 7/24

It's 6-2 Yankees here in the top of the 8th. Andrew and I have watched Bartolo Colon once again revert to his 2005 form by holding Oakland to 2 runs and 8 hits over 7 innings. The Grandyman provided the big blow so far with a 2-run second-decker and there was also a pretty Granderson-Cano-Martin relay to end an A's rally.

But the main story (for me, anyway) has been the heat and humidity -- it's another scorcher in the Bronx. Hopefully we, and the Yankees, can survive and escape with a win. David Robertson is in now trying to do just that.

View From The Seats: A's at Yankees

Back in the Bronx in some record heat for the Yankees vs. A's with Tropers. Tonight we're in Section 418, row 4 and sweating bullets. Speaking of bullets, the Yankees have been hitting them all over the place against A's. 14 runs in 3 innings as they got to Trevor Cahill once again.

Phil Hughes has given a few back as the A's have chipped into the lead--but it's still 9 runs as we head to the bottom of the 4th. Two long layoffs on a deathly hot night in the Bronx may have done Hughes in. Oh, did I mention it's hot? Like really hot.

I usually stay until the end of every game but if I'm not out of here in a few innings, it's probably time to call security. Speaking of which, you may want to call them as it looks like the rest of the Bronx has lost power tonight. There has been no power lost in the Stadium though--either literally or figuratively.

-Andrew

View From The Seats: Mariners vs. Rangers @ Safeco Field

Suppose your fiancée is a bridesmaid at a wedding in Seattle and you're along for the ride. The bachelorette party starts at 6:00 and you are suddenly in a new city, with nothing to do, and the Rangers are in town to play the Mariners. What would you do in that scenario?

Needless to say, that's me tonight and I couldn't be more glad to have bought a ticket to tonight's game at Safeco. Especially when that ticket is located 20 rows off the field, halfway between home and first, and only cost $53.

As anyone who has been here can attest, it's a beautiful ballpark, albeit 1/3 full despite hosting Texas, the defending AL champs. Perhaps it has something to do with the weak Seattle lineup (Miguel Olivo is batting cleanup) or maybe an All Star Break hangover?

Either way, the roof is open, the weather is lovely (partly sunny, low 60's) and Josh Hamilton has spotted the Rangers a 1-0 lead with a first inning bomb off Jason Vargas. Wait, make that 2-0. Nelson Cruz just lifted another solo shot to right, barely over Ichiro's glove. Wish y'all were here...

When will Jeter drop in the batting order?

I am a life long Yankees fan. I fully appreciate all that our Captain has done to help the team in a career that will make him a first ballot hall of famer. No one can take any of that away form Derek Jeter.

Sometime in the next few games Jeter will reach the milestone of 3,000 hits. He will be the 28th player in MLB history to reach this milestone. That is a pretty exclusive club. So far this millenium we have seen Biggio in 2007, Palmeiro (dubious) 2005, Henderson 2001, and Ripken Jr. in 2000. So 5 of 28 in the last 11 years.

Growing up I witnessed the end of Yaz, Rod Carew and Pete Rose's careers, along with the majority of the careers of: Molitor, Yount, George Brett, Dave Winfield, Boggs, and Tony Gwynn. So I have been fortunate enough to have watched 14 of the 28 3k hits club members.

My memory is selective as I remember more of the hey day of Henderson, Brett & Gwynn, not the last days of their career. I can still picture Winfield (drafted out of college for football, baseball, and basketball) robbing a homer at Yankee Stadium and stretching a single into a double. Of course all Yankees fans remember Boggs toward the end in Pinstripes jockeying a cops horse. We tend to remember the best parts of great players careers, not the endings when they stay too long.

The same will be true of Jeter. As fans we will choose to remember "the flip", or an opposite field double in the gap.............. not a sad dribbler to third that has become commonplace. I am offering a beautiful "Vandelay Industries" t-shirt from fivefingertees if someone can name the exact date Jeter gets moved out of the lead-off spot permanently. We can take guesses up until Jeter gets his 3,000th hit, so post your guess in the comments.

Revis's 8th Ranking On Top 100 List Major Mistake By Players

As an attempted respite from the nonstop drama of the NFL lockout, the NFL Network just concluded the players' ranking of the best 100 players in the NFL, a symbolic drink of water to the NFL fan dying of thirst in the lockout desert. While the list has certainly sparked debate among NFL fans with its hits and misses -- and there are many of both on the list -- for the Jets fan it is not the names of the players on the list that sparks outrage, but rather a single person that was undervalued.  While the players piled on admiration for Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Ray Lewis, the biggest names on defense over the past decade, they didn’t share the same love for our very own Darrelle Revis. Revis was selected eighth behind not just the three players mentioned, but also Andre Johnson, and Adrian Peterson. For Revis to be selected at this spot is a shame, as it doesn’t reflect what Revis is: the best defensive player in the NFL today.

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A Standing O: Wimbledon, Wiffleball, and White Barbecue Sauce

Once the weather gets nice, most people look forward to baseball season really getting under way. But Alex O has another sport that has his attention once the seasons turn. Summer just started and Alex O is back to talk about Wimbledon, Wiffleball, and give you a recipe for barbecue sauce (editors note: posted a day late which is my fault)

SI

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Summer is almost a week old. The 3H days are upon us---- Hazy, Hot and Humid. I was born in the summer so it is no surprise that it is my favorite season. It is the time to barbecue, head to the beach, and enjoy the sports of the summer.

One of my favorites sporting events to watch in the summer is Wimbledon. A trip to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is high upon my bucket list of sporting events to witness live. I can still remember the epic Wimbledon match in 1980 between John McEnroe (my favorite) vs. the Bjorn Borg.I have yet to watch the HBO documentary on these two but am looking forward to it.

There is something special about this tournament that holds on to its traditions, and is the only major tournament still played on grass. When I was growing up in the 80’s the Australian Open was still a grass tourney and the US Open was grass until 1974. One of the strict rules is that players must wear mostly white. Here is a link to some outfits that caused a stir at Wimbledon. The tournament this year is now wide open on the women’s side since the Williams sisters lost as did the #1 seed Wozniacki. The favorite now is the grunting Maria Sharapova, it is all about her ability to serve if she will be able to get her second Wimbledon title. She won her first when she was 17 back in 2004.

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Trivia Tuesday: Missing out on October

It hasn't been all smiles for Adam Dunn and the ChiSox (Chicago Tribune)

Adam Dunn is having an awful first season in Chicago and his White Sox currently sit 5 games out of first place. If Dunn and his White Sox don't make the playoffs, he'll extend his major-league leading active streak of the most regular season games played without making the playoffs. His streak currently sits at 1515 but 8 other active major league players have at least 1000 games played without making a playoff appearance. Can you name those other 8?

Bonus Question: obviously, Dunn is also on the list of players who have never made a World Series. But his 1515 games only ranks 12th among active Major Leaugers who never have made a World Series appearance. Can you name those top 11?

Put your answers in the comments below. No cheating! We'll reveal the correct answers later. Good luck!

(Constant) Tino Martinez Hits A Bomb On Old-Timers' Day

Tino rounding 1st after Coney gave up the bomb.  (Daily News)

I just wanted to pass along this gem from yesterday's Old Timers' Day at Yankee Stadium.  For anyone who grew up during the Yankees' heyday of the late 1990's, this is especially meaningful.  Tino Martinez blasting a 2-run HR into the right field seats off David Cone with Bernie Williams on base?  Just typing that sentence brought back all kinds of wonderful memories.  Enjoy:

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